Mamamamama . . . .

Muffin time!  While I was visiting family, my mom gave me her old cookbook (along with some old family favorites--mostly special cookies she made for company).  Nothing beats the treats mom used to make.

The pages may be tattered here and there.  Some stains cover a few pages, but I wouldn't give up this book for the world.  It was my go-to cookbook when I baked as a teen.

And now I make treats for my own children.  They haven't expressed much interest in baking or cooking, but I know certain recipes have become family favorites--especially muffins.

Love makin' muffins for the kids to take along in their lunch cans-kids love the banana ones and pumpkin muffins are nice for the fall.  Always nice to offer homemade snacks whenever I can.

Neat gadget my SIL & BIL picked up for me a while back when they were in Halifax.  It's specifically used for mixing dough, but the beauty is in the design: dough won't stick to it!  Very nice for  mixing muffin dough.

Do you have any family favorites?  Watcha doin' this weekend?

Some Distractions

Mixing dry ingredients

Instead of finishing my wee little Kirbys, I was busy doing other things.  Of late I've taken to baking every other weekend, usually muffins and occasionally cookies.  

Stirring dry into wet 

There's something terribly satisfying about makin' stuff from scratch: it feels like I'm doing something good for my family and they truly do appreciate it.  Everyone enjoys a muffin for breakfast or snack.

Spooning batter into tins

And I have a really good basic recipe that can be used with just about any fruit.  My fave are with bananas, but I've made them with apple sauce and pumpkin puree.  I bet you could easily substitute other fruit (although come fall we'll have a tremendous amount of apples to use up 'cuz we got loads of apple trees).

Freshly baked banana muffins

Not sure where it originally came from, but my mother-in-law gave me the recipe.  Thought I'd share with you my most fave muffin recipe:


2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2  tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)


2 eggs 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups fruit (applesauce, mashed bananas, or pumpkin puree)
Note: for pumpkin puree use 1 cup of pumpkin mixed with 1/2 cup water


Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
Mix in sugars until well combined and the stir in raisins (optional).
In another bowl mix wet ingredients until smooth.
Stir dry into wet (don't over stir.)
Spoon into greased muffin tin and bake at 350 F (180 C) for  20-25 min.
Makes a dozen muffins.


Enjoy!  And hope you're having a great weekend too. :D